Get ready to race along the Russian River

The Great Russian River Race, happening on Saturday, May 4, is opening day for the summer season on the beautiful Russian River.

Recreational kayak/canoe teams and stand up paddle-boarders will do battle in the 5-mile Rio Lindo Race, starting north of Healdsburg.

Racers can take to the water in full costume, too. There will be rewards for best costume. Past costumes have included Hawaiian grass skirts, Viking regalia and more.

So don your finest and join the crew to support the health of one of our greatest natural resources, the Russian River.

Over the past 100 years, the Russian River has lost 75% of its size due to channelization, gravel mining, agriculture and urban development. As Russian Riverkeeper approaches its 25th anniversary, we invite you to dream of the day the Russian River will be a healthier river; a river that once again has floodplains to help prevent major flooding; a river free of pollution; a river full of coho salmon and steelhead trout with abundant wildlife on its banks; a river with parks and walks along-side, so you may enjoy its beauty; a river with easy access for canoes and kayaks; a river that creates memories to last a lifetime.

Russian Riverkeeper has been successfully protecting the River since 1993. Russian Riverkeeper, originally Friends of the Russian River, actively pursued conservation and protection of the river’s mainstem, tributaries and watershed through public education, citizen action, scientific research and expert advocacy.

Race Age Restrictions: Kids (ages 5 to 11) can be in a canoe or kayak with a parent (canoes only have two seats). Ages 12 to 15 may be in single boats only with parental/adult supervision during the race. Ages 16 to 17 just need a waiver signed by a parent. For everyone under 18, a parent will need to sign a waiver upon check-in. All children ages 12 to 17 competing in race will need to register at regular ticket price. If you are a parent/guardian of a young child that is just riding along in your boat, please register for the no-charge child ticket.

Everyone is welcome to cheer on the racers at the finish line! Please join us for the River Race Beach Partyat Healdsburg Veteran's Memorial Beach. Join us for great food, beer and wine and live music on the banks of the river. The River Race Party is free and will run from noon to 4 p.m.

All participants must complete a liability waiver. You can download it and email it to info@russianriverkeeper.org or bring with you on day of race.

Please note: When entering as a double or team, prices noted are per-person and both people need to complete the registration at the same time.

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